DiFiore,
70, has been trying to get out on bail since he was arrested in an extortion
scheme in January, saying his diabetes is out of control. But prosecutors
provided evidence showing he’s been stocking up on soda, candy, chips and
peanut butter from the jail’s commissary.
If Bonanno crime boss Thomas (Tommy D) DiFiore was trying to eat his way out of jail, he was done in by Pringles and peanut butter.
DiFiore,
70, has been desperately seeking bail since he was arrested on extortion
charges in January, claiming his Type 2 diabetes is raging out of control.
But
DiFiore broke a cardinal rule of canny mobsters, leaving a trail of commissary
purchases that showed he's been stuffing his face with junk food high in sugar
and carbs.
The
damning evidence came when federal prosecutors called in a surprise witness at
DiFiore's bail hearing last month in Brooklyn Federal Court — Dr. Robin Edwin
of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn
In
terms of Mr. DiFiore, what items have you seen him purchasing at the commissary
based on MDC records if you're able to comment on that?" Assistant U.S.
Attorney Alicyn Cooley asked in Perry Mason fashion.
Edwin
ticked off the gruesome details: Ramen-flavored chili noodles; Hershey candy
bars 6-pack; Pringles potato chips; jalapeno wheels; jalapeno squeeze cheese;
peanut butter.
DiFiore
allegedly washed it all down with Pepsi soda.
The
main thing is to reduce the amount of ... potatoes, pasta and fries.
"These
all would cause his sugars to go up quite high and it would be very hard to
control diabetes while they're consuming these foods," Edwin said,
according to a transcript of the proceeding.
The
doctor added that he schooled DiFiore about the benefits of a "plate
diet," in which half the prison grub on his plate should be veggies, a
quarter proteins, and the other quarter carbohydrates.
Edwin's
advice would have sent shudders up the spine of Tony Soprano: "The main
thing is to reduce the amount of ... potatoes, pasta and fries," the
doctor said.
Federal
Judge Allyne Ross rejected DiFiore's bid for release on $4 million bail, ruling
that he's a danger to the community — not mentioning whether he's a danger to
himself.
Defense
lawyer Steve Zissou threw cold water on the feds' food facts.
"The
commissary purchases are for other inmates — he does not consume them,"
Zissou told the Daily News. "There is an informal barter system in some
jails."
Last
week prosecutors updated the judge on DiFiore's condition, reporting that he
had a consultation with a dietician and was told what he should and should not
eat. Sources said DiFiore has been stocking up on tuna fish since he learned
the feds were monitoring his commissary purchases.
DiFiore,
of Commack, L.I., is charged with participating in an extortion scheme with
co-defendant Vincent Asaro, the Bonanno capo who is also charged with the
infamous Lufthansa heist at Kennedy Airport in 1978 immortalized in the film
"Goodfellas," which also depicted mobsters feasting on steaks,
lobsters and homemade tomato sauce in prison.